The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, or more popularly DREAM, Act has been around since 2001, but it only recently gained national attention when Senator Harry Reid decided to attach it to the defense bill, which has passed consecutively for 48 years. This year on Sept. 21, defense bill S.3454 was four votes short of moving on to general debate. Republicans unanimously voted it down.

Many have condemned Senator Reid for wanting to tack it onto the DREAM Act, suggesting it hurts the democratic system. Strategically, it was a very smart decision. The DREAM Act failed by seven votes to reach general debate in 2007 as a stand-alone bill. Attaching it to a bill that most assumed would at least progress to general debate was a clever way to begin debate regarding the act.

Some argue that the act will force alien minors to join the military. But are there not people who join the military specifically as a way to receive free education anyway? We generally consider that a permissible motivation for U.S. citizens. Why should the motivation for joining suddenly matter now?  

If individuals are willing to risk their lives for our nation, they should have that opportunity. Is it so hard to believe that these individuals genuinely want to serve what is probably the only country they have known through the military service?

This bipartisan act is well supported by both parties. However, in this society where immigrants are frequrntly blamed for rising crime, poverty and unemployment rates, Republicans withhold their support rather than risk the future votes of their party. With that in mind, let’s examine the DREAM Act and quell some misconceptions.

The act does not give illegal immigrants citizenship. It gives individuals who entered the country illegally as minors and who have met other provisions, including graduating from high school and demonstrating good moral character, temporary legal non-resident status. This is essentially a temporary green card, giving them time to either earn an undergraduate degree or serve in the armed forces.

If they meet the requirements within the allotted six years, they may then apply for a permanent resident card. They are not guaranteed a resident card above anyone else; they are given an equal opportunity to apply.  

These individuals must still finance all of the relevant fees, fill out all of the proper forms, provide all of the correct documents, pass a background check, have the means to support themselves, get a medical exam and pass a tough interview.

Then, if everything checks out, they receive a green card. Not citizenship, but a green card. They still cannot collect many public benefits, like welfare or social security, for ten years. They still cannot vote. They still can be deported for committing a crime. And they may apply for citizenship no sooner than five years after receiving the card. This act does not promise or immediately give any individual citizenship.

These individuals are not criminals out to steal our jobs. They are essentially Americans. They did not voluntarily cross the border illegally. They were brought as children by their parents from countries all over the world. They have completed or are about to complete high school. They have not committed crimes. They are comfortable using the English language. Many do not remember living anywhere but the United States. This country is their true home.

Each year, 65,000 of these Americans graduate from high school. We can give these 65,000 people the ability to fight for their country or earn a college education.  

It is irrational to think that we will be able to deport even a fraction of these innocent individuals, burdened by the choices of their parents and circumstance. Why not let these minors help our nation economically, socially and culturally? Why not give them the opportunity to legally become what they essentially already are—Americans?